Stitch-divider for sewing-machines.



No. 727,038. I PATENTED MAY. 5, 1903.

s. J. 'WENTWORTH. STITCH DIVIDER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION IILIBD JUNE 30, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

Witueoaeo 3.4% W {M M UNITE STATES i'atented May 5, 1903.

SAMUEL J. WENTWORTH, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,038, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed June 30, 1902. Serial No. 113,749. (No-model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LSAMUEL J. WENTWORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressers and Stitch-Dividers for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a stitch-dividing instrument used as an attachment to a sewing-machine foot. Its primary object is to make a crease centrally at the thread-holes made by the awl extending transversely to the line of stitches. It is employed on a reciprocating foot of that class of machines employed in stitching shoes, harness, and other similar articles.

The object of my invention is especially not only to press the leather down and effectually close the awl-holes, but also to make a crease on both sides of the line of stitching,

so as to give a beaded appearance to the work,

thereby ornamenting the same as well as mak ing a better job byimpacting or compressing the material against and around the thread. In order to secure this ornamentation and compression equally on both sides, it is necessary that the crease be made exactly across the thread-holes. Now as different kinds of work require difierent lengths of stitches it is necessary to adjust the creaser longitudinally to the line of stitching; but it is also essential that the creaser be rigidly attached to the foot. This rigidity of attachment cannot well be obtained by adjusting the creaser itself. I have discovered that a sewing-machine foot may be made in sections with the shank of the foot portion longitudinally adjustable on the main shank and the proper rigidity and adjustment obtained,all of which will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvement shown in proper relations to the awl and awl-bar. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved foot. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a reverse side elevation from the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the top section of the adjustable shank. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the main shank. Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the work accomplished.

A represents a reciprocating foot-bar of an ordinary sewing-machine.

Y B represents the main foot-shank, secured to the foot-bar by a set-screw a.

0 represents the awl-bar, and c the awl.

The main shank B is provided with a halftenon D at its lower end.

d-represents a groove formed transversely at the head of the tenon.

E represents the adjustable foot-shank.

F represents a gain formed in the top end of the shank E.

6 represents a tongue fitting and engaging the groove d.

G represents an elongated opening in the main shank, through which passes the setscrew g.

it represents the head of the screw, and t a washer.

By means of the half-tenon, tongue, and groove the two shanks may be rigidly secured together by a set-screw in any desired adjusted position.

I represents the creaser. It is shown as removable. It is rigidly supported in a groove formed in the foot, which is preferably provided with a header K, which is located in the same groove and rigidly secured thereto. This beader also serves as a stop to limit the depth of the crease; also, it presses down the top edge of the work and prevents the forming of a feather-edge, which almost invariably occurs in sewing tempered stock and which has to be trimmed 011 with a knife and hammered. By using this beadera featheredge is avoided and a finished edge is obtained. As difierent kinds of work require different lengths and sizes of creases, by making the creaser removable any desired crease may be obtained more cheaply than if the creaser were made integral with the foot, which would require for different kinds of work as many different shanks. By rigidly fixing the creaser in a groove in the shank of the same size as the creaser I obtain the same rigidity as if the creaser was formed integral with the foot.

By the means herein shown and described Iobtain a stitch-divider which extends transversely across the line and midway between the individual stitches, and at the same time the foot can be adjusted to divide and ornament the varying lengths of stitches which are required in common practice.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A foot-shank for a sewing-machine having a needleeye, a transverse diagonal groove formed on the bottom of the foot in rear of the needle-eye, a combined creaser-blade and header adjustably secured in the groove, means for adjusting the said foot on its support in a plane transverse to the plane of adjustability of the said ereaser and header, and means for securing said creaser-blade and header in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

2. A foot-shank for a sewing-machine haveye, a creaser-blade mountedin said groove, said blade having one edge broadened out and forming a header, the edge of the header lying in a different horizontal plane from the edge of the creaser, thereby forming a stop tolimit the depth of the crease as well as forming a beaded edge at one side of the crease, and means for adjustably securing said header in position, substantially as described.

4:. A sewing-machine foot made of two sections comprising a main and a foot shank, one longitudinally adjustable upon the other, and means for rigidly securing the same in their adjusted position, said foot-shank having a needle-eye, a transverse groove on the under side of the foot in rear of said eye, a combined creaser-blade and header mounted in said groove adapted to be adjusted laterally, and meansfor securing said combined creaserblade and beaderin its adjusted position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

SAMUEL J: WENTYVORTH. Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, ED'WD. S. ALEXANDER. 

